Analysis of outcomes of emergency general and gastrointestinal surgery during the COVID-19 pandemic.

BACKGROUND: Few surgical studies have provided adjusted comparative postoperative outcome data among contemporary patients with and without COVID-19 infection and patients treated before the pandemic. The aim of this study was to determine the impact of performing emergency surgery in patients with concomitant COVID-19 infection. METHODS: Patients who underwent emergency general and gastrointestinal surgery from March to June 2020, and from March to June 2019 in 25 Spanish hospitals were included in a retrospective study (COVID-CIR). The main outcome was 30-day mortality. Secondary outcomes included postoperative complications and failure to rescue (mortality among patients who developed complications). Propensity score-matched comparisons were performed between patients who were positive and those who were negative for COVID-19; and between COVID-19-negative cohorts before and during the pandemic. RESULTS: Some 5307 patients were included in the study (183 COVID-19-positive and 2132 COVID-19-negative during pandemic; 2992 treated before pandemic). During the pandemic, patients with COVID-19 infection had greater 30-day mortality than those without (12.6 versus 4.6 per cent), but this difference was not statistically significant after propensity score matching (odds ratio (OR) 1.58, 95 per cent c.i. 0.88 to 2.74). Those positive for COVID-19 had more complications (41.5 versus 23.9 per cent; OR 1.61, 1.11 to 2.33) and a higher likelihood of failure to rescue (30.3 versus 19.3 per cent; OR 1.10, 0.57 to 2.12). Patients who were negative for COVID-19 during the pandemic had similar rates of 30-day mortality (4.6 versus 3.2 per cent; OR 1.35, 0.98 to 1.86) and complications (23.9 versus 25.2 per cent; OR 0.89, 0.77 to 1.02), but a greater likelihood of failure to rescue (19.3 versus 12.9 per cent; OR 1.56, 95 per cent 1.10 to 2.19) than prepandemic controls. CONCLUSION: Patients with COVID-19 infection undergoing emergency general and gastrointestinal surgery had worse postoperative outcomes than contemporary patients without COVID-19. COVID-19-negative patients operated on during the COVID-19 pandemic had a likelihood of greater failure-to-rescue than prepandemic controls.

Tissue-engineered nipple reconstruction.

We describe a simple, effective approach to the creation of autologous tissue-engineered cartilage in the shape of a human nipple by injecting a reverse thermosensitive polymer seeded with autologous chondrocytes in an immunocompetent porcine animal model. A biodegradable, biocompatible copolymer of polyethylene oxide and polypropylene oxide (Pluronic F-127), which exists as a liquid below 4 degrees C and polymerizes to a thick gel when it is exposed to physiologic temperatures (body temperatures), was used as a vehicle for chondrocyte delivery and as a scaffold to guide growth. Autologous chondrocytes isolated from porcine auricular elastic cartilage and suspended in 30% (weight/volume) Pluronic F-127 were injected on the ventral surface of the pigs from which the cells had been isolated. A circumferential subdermal suture was used to support the contour of the implant and assist in its projection in the form of a human nipple. After 3 weeks, the skin over and surrounding the implant was tattooed to create the appearance of a human nipple-areolar complex. As controls, an equal number of injections were made using either cells alone (not suspended in hydrogel), or hydrogel alone. After 10 weeks, all specimens were excised and examined both grossly and histologically. Before harvesting, visual inspection of the tattooed chondrocyte-Pluronic F-127 hydrogel implant sites revealed that they closely resembled a human female nipple-areolar complex. Nodules were similar in size, shape, and texture to a human nipple at each injection site. Glistening opalescent tissue was surgically isolated from each implant site. Hematoxylin and eosin, safranine o, trichrome blue, and Verhoeff's stains of the experimental implants showed nodules with the characteristic histologic signs of elastic cartilage. Control injections of copolymer hydrogel alone exhibited no evidence of cartilage formation. Control injections of chondrocytes alone showed evidence of dissociated microscopic nodules of elastic cartilage.

Papiloma escamoso de esofago (PEE): reporte de un caso y revision de literatura / Esophageal squamous papilloma: a case report and literature revision

Se relata un caso de Papiloma Escamoso de Esófago (PEE) en una paciente de 90 años. Esta patología es de carácter benigno y por lo general es un hallazgo endoscópico. Sólo existen 150 casos relatados en la literaura médica mundial. Su tratamiento consiste en resección endoscópica con asa diatérmica o un tratamiento conservador de observación más control endoscópico periódico de acuerdo al tipo de paciente.

Papiloma escamoso de esofago (PEE): reporte de un caso y revision de literatura / Esophageal squamous papilloma: a case report and literature revision

Se relata un caso de Papiloma Escamoso de Esófago (PEE) en una paciente de 90 años. Esta patología es de carácter benigno y por lo general es un hallazgo endoscópico. Sólo existen 150 casos relatados en la literaura médica mundial. Su tratamiento consiste en resección endoscópica con asa diatérmica o un tratamiento conservador de observación más control endoscópico periódico de acuerdo al tipo de paciente. (AU)

Syphilitic rectal ulcer associated with perforation of the hard palate: case report.

We report a case of a patient that presented with a perforated hard palate as a late complication due to an unsuspected syphilis. This disease first presented as a rectal ulcer which was misdiagnosed as an amebic proctitis. The patient received antiamebic treatment with a satisfactory outcome. He did not return for late control of the latter treatment and returned seeking medical advice six years later with the former complication. He tested positive for syphilis and appropriate treatment was performed. In addition, the ORL department recommended a palate prosthesis.

[Esophageal squamous papilloma: a case report and review of the literature]. / Papiloma escamoso de esófago (PEE): reporte de un caso y revisión de literatura.

We report a case of an esophagic squamous papilloma (SP) in a 90 year old patient. This pathology is benign and its diagnosis is generally a finding during an upper digestive endoscopy. Only 150 cases have been reported in the world's medical literature. Treatment consists in an endoscopic resection with diathermic snare or a conservative approach with periodical endoscopic control and observation depending of the type of patient.

Syphilitic rectal ulcer associated with perforation of the hard palate: case report

We report a case of a patient that presented with a perforated hard palate as a late complication due to an unsuspected syphilis. This disease first presented as a rectal ulcer which was misdiagnosed as an amebic proctitis. The patient received antiamebic treatment with a satisfactory outcome. He did not return for late control of the latter treatment and returned seeking medical advise six years later with the former complication. He tested positive for syphilis and appropiate treatment was performed. In addition, the ORL department recommended a palate prosthesis. (AU)

Syphilitic rectal ulcer associated with perforation of the hard palate: case report

We report a case of a patient that presented with a perforated hard palate as a late complication due to an unsuspected syphilis. This disease first presented as a rectal ulcer which was misdiagnosed as an amebic proctitis. The patient received antiamebic treatment with a satisfactory outcome. He did not return for late control of the latter treatment and returned seeking medical advise six years later with the former complication. He tested positive for syphilis and appropiate treatment was performed. In addition, the ORL department recommended a palate prosthesis.